Blue Jays should add some CarGo even after getting Granderson

It's been a pretty slow offseason across most of baseball, and the Toronto Blue Jays are no exception.

The team made its first significant signing of 2018 on Monday, reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $5-million deal with outfielder Curtis Granderson.

Adding the 36-year-old provides the club with more depth, a priority that's also been evident in its trades for Yangervis Solarte, Aledmys Diaz, and Gift Ngoepe. But if the Blue Jays are going to contend - as general manager Ross Atkins insists they are - they can't stop here.

"We wake up every day trying to make the organization and our team better, and that's how we go to bed every day," Atkins said at the winter meetings. "Fortunately we have, what we feel, are fair resources to do that financially and within our system. We'll continue to make the team, the best possible team, the best possible organization we can make it."

If Toronto does have the resources to make something happen, the club should, since its window to win is now - and it's starting to close.

There's one season left before 2015 MVP Josh Donaldson is eligible for free agency, and while he's admitted that he would love to remain in Toronto, he's expected to command a huge contract next offseason and will have plenty of suitors.

The Blue Jays' projected starting lineup is also old - really old. Kevin Pillar is the only player there who's under 30.

*as of Opening Day 2018

And the Blue Jays must also try to contend with the New York Yankees, the division-winning Boston Red Sox, the defending World Series champion Houston Astros, and other heavyweights such as the Cleveland Indians and the much-improved Los Angeles Angels.

All these factors mean the Blue Jays should make more moves. So what should they prioritize?

They need more depth in their rotation. The bullpen could use another piece. But an impact bat is a must - preferably a left-handed one. And although they just added an outfielder to an already crowded mix, Toronto's best option may be to add yet another one.

As it stands, the Blue Jays' projected outfield rotation is Granderson in right, Pillar in center, Steve Pearce in left, and Ezequiel Carrera on the bench (although Teoscar Hernandez is expected to earn playing time as well). This platoon needs some beefing up.

For comparison, the Yankees' projected starting outfield (Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Brett Gardner) combined for 18.9 fWAR in 2017; the Red Sox starting outfield of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Andrew Benintendi amassed 9.8 fWAR; and the Astros' starting outfield of Josh Reddick, Marwin Gonzalez, and George Springer was valued at 12.1 fWAR.

So, let's look at the Blue Jays' options.

They've been linked to free agent Lorenzo Cain and would reportedly prefer a four-year deal. However, it doesn't make the most sense to acquire a 31-year-old for that term when their window to win seems so small.

J.D. Martinez is on the club's radar too, but after hitting 45 home runs and slugging .690, the 30-year-old is seeking a seven-year commitment in the $210-million range. His agent, Scott Boras, also appears to be locked in a staring contest with the Red Sox over a potential five-year offer.

However, two former All-Stars who remain available in free agency could be nice fits on short-term agreements: Carlos Gonzalez and Carlos Gomez.

Gonzalez is a three-time All Star and Gold Glove winner whose stock has dropped after recording one of the worst seasons of his career, but there are still some encouraging signs.

CarGo hit 14 home runs and drove in 57 RBIs while posting a .262/.339/.423 slash line. Not the greatest, sure, but his first half was spoiled by sleep issues and a wonky wrist that didn't allow him to comfortably swing a bat. After both ailments were cured, Gonzalez ended the season on a tear, posting a 1.250 OPS in September.

Gomez, a two-time All-Star and a former MVP candidate, is back to playing some strong baseball after a worrisome year-and-a-half with the Houston Astros. The 32-year-old posted an .827 OPS in 138 games with the Texas Rangers over the past two seasons and brings some speed (18 steals with Texas).

The Blue Jays are expected to get most of their production from Donaldson and Justin Smoak, but they need more contributions from the outfield if they want to compete with the big boys.

Adding one of the CarGos would help achieve this, and if the club does have "fair resources" to do so, Toronto should make a move.